US, Israel denounce resolution passed by rights council

GENEVA – The U.S. government is decrying a resolution passed by the Human Rights Council that calls on the U.N. human rights chief to set up a database of businesses operating in settlements in the West Bank and Golan Heights.

U.S. Ambassador Keith Harper denounced the "especially disturbing" resolution that "only serves to reinforce the council's one-sided actions against Israel" and said it exceeded the council's authority.

Pakistan, which presented the resolution, argued that the Israel settlements violate international law. It passed 32-0 with 15 abstentions, and was among 37 passed in the council's latest session that ended Thursday.

The resolution "requests" that U.N. rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein "investigate the implications of the Israeli settlements" on Palestinians and produce a database of businesses with activities highlighted by a U.N. fact-finding mission.